How to Budget for RV Snowbird Season

RV Life

When frigid winter weather arrives up north, swaths of so-called snowbirds flee south to warmer, more comfortable climates. If you’re an RVer who lives up north, maybe you yourself are a snowbird, or have considered becoming one. But how can you make your trip affordable?

By following a few pieces of budgeting advice, you can cut down the costs of snowbirding so you can spend the season relaxing in the sun instead of worrying about finances. Let’s take a look at everything you should do to make your snowbird season affordable.

1. Audit Your Finances

Hands working a calculator. Photo: Shutterstock.

The first thing to do when budgeting for snowbird season is to take an overall look at your finances. What is your income? What are your expenses? Tally everything up, and take a look at what you’ll have left over after expenses to spend on your trip.

This is also a great time to look at ways you can cut down on spending. Do you have subscriptions you’re not really using or won’t be able to use in your RV? Do you eat out frequently? Have an expensive cell plan? If you do, consider canceling subscriptions, cooking at home, and finding other areas in your budget you can cut down on spending.

Costs related to your RV can also be a potential area to cut spending. Are your RV insurance premiums high? Do you spend a ton on gas? In these cases, you can look into things like changing the insurance for your RV, improving fuel efficiency, and other methods to cut RV related costs, giving you more room in the budget for snowbird season.

2. Consider Part-time Work for Extra Cash

If your budget for snowbird season is still looking a bit tight, another great option is to take on some part time or seasonal work during your trip, sometimes called “workamping.” This will not only give you more money to spend, it can also be a great way to meet people and make new friends wherever you spend the season.

There are plenty of great workamping opportunities to be found, with some of the best options during snowbird season including:

Amazon: While Amazon discontinued its well-known “CamperForce” program, it still offers plenty of seasonal work in fulfillment centers
Retail: For those starting their snowbird trips between October and December, retail gigs are some of the best options, as holiday shopping creates tons of need for workers in diverse areas
Grocery stores: Bagging, cashiering, and other grocery store jobs are a classic option for seasonal and part-time work, and they’re among the employers most willing to hiring snowbirds that are past retirement age
Agricultural work: Harvesting and other agricultural jobs are more demanding than some other options, but if you’re up to the task, they’re a great seasonal gig that often pays much better than other options
Theme parks: Because business fluctuates heavily during different parts of the year, theme parks are frequently looking for short term seasonal workers to help with increased demand.

You can also make money right from your RV in many different ways, including:

Offering pet-sitting services
Providing RV repair services
Working online in jobs such as customer service and content creation
Do house cleaning or rig cleaning

3. Rent Out Your Home While You’re Away

If you own a traditional home in addition to your RV, renting it out can be a great way to help you increase your budget for snowbird season.

One option is to do a longer-term rental with one person or family. You can advertise your home on sites like Sublet.com, or talk to people you know directly to see if they know anyone looking for a short term rental. If you go this route, be sure to stay on top of any laws and regulations for renting your property in your area.

Another option is to rent the space out through AirBnB. This makes it easier to find people who will rent your space for shorter terms. But, on the flip side, it can be a bit of a gamble, and you may find your home is only rented out for a few of the available dates.

4. Snowbird Somewhere More Affordable

Sunset at Clearwater Beach pier in Florida. Photo: Shutterstock.

Sure, spending the season in Boca Raton and other high cost locales can be an amazing time. But it can also be amazingly expensive. Instead, consider lesser known locations that are friendlier to your budget for snowbird season.

Some great options for a more affordable snowbird season include:

Tybee Island, Georgia: This barrier island, not far from Savannah, sits in the Atlantic and offers a gorgeous getaway at a fraction of the cost.
McAllen, Texas: While all the attention goes to South Padre Island, McAllen is a destination worthy of more attention. It’s right by the beach and the Mexican border, with plenty to do and affordable prices.
Clearwater, Florida: While not as popular as many other Florida destinations, Clearwater offers all the same great benefits: great weather, great food, and beautiful beaches.

Another aspect of an affordable stay is the RV park or other location you choose to park your RV. Using tools like RV Life Campgrounds can help you find more affordable parks that better suit your budget. Other options include staying at state and national parks, staying on BLM land, and if you have the right RV, stealth camping. However, all of these have limits on how long you can stay in one place, so it might not be ideal for all snowbirds.

5. Set Aside Money for Unexpected Expenses

If you’re on a tight budget, one unexpected expense can throw your finances into chaos. To help prevent this, consider setting aside an emergency fund in advance of your trip. That way, if you have an injury or illness, an RV breakdown, or anything else, you have a cushion to protect you so you can keep enjoying snowbird season.

6. Consider a Shorter Trip

One final way to make your snowbird season more affordable is by taking a shorter trip. Instead of heading south the moment temperatures start to drop, and staying until every last bit of winter cold is gone, consider sticking to just the coldest months of the year. By only staying through, for example, December and January, you can massively cut down on costs, while still avoiding the worst of the winter months.

With These Tips, Your Snowbird Season is Sure to be Affordable!

With a bit of smart budgeting, you can get away from the winter weather and have a great snowbird season – without breaking the bank! Take stock of your finances, find places to save, consider working on the side, among other strategies we’ve listed here, and your trip is sure to be affordable. Here’s to a great snowbird season—without stressing about money!